After a late-night debate on the politically sensitive issue of immigration, the California Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill to extend driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. The measure would clear the way for California to create a distinct driver's license, with a unique design and color, for people who cannot prove legal citizenship in the United States. The license could be used only for driving and would not be valid identification for other purposes such as opening a bank account or boarding an airplane.

The bill, SB 60 by Sen. Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles), would also allow roughly 800,000 people in California who have applied to federal immigration officials for legal residency to get a California driver's license starting as soon as March 2006. The bill passed 42 to 34.

Cedillo's bill passed the Senate in June on a 22-16 partisan split. Now the Senate is expected to approve recent amendments and send it to the governor, who is under pressure from Republicans to veto the measure. Cedillo said he included several elements in the bill aimed at overcoming objections from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who last year vetoed a Cedillo driver's license bill. But before the state Assembly took up the new bill Wednesday, there were no indications that the changes would satisfy the governor.

The governor's office has consistently said Schwarzenegger does not want to take any action until the federal government finishes deciding its requirements for state licenses  changes spawned by concern that terrorists or other criminals could get such documents. Congress gave states the option to create distinct driver's licenses for illegal immigrants under the Real ID Act passed in May.

If someone comes to your house with a duffelbag full of money fresh from a bank robbery and you don't notify authorities, you can be charged as an accessory to the crime. Now here we have illegal aliens crossing into California (across state lines) being provided with legal documents by the state, knowing full well of the recipients' illegal status. What prevents the federal government from sending marshals to Sacramento and removing said legislators in leg irons and orange jumpsuits for accessory to abet illegal immigration and conspiracy to do so in violation of federal law?

Where does the bill say they have to have insurance for when they run into a family and place two or three in a hospital? Replacement costs for their auto and time off from work. Drivers without insurance are accidents looking for a place to happen.

It looks like Cedillo is trying to one-up Arnie by taking away his most recent reason for taking exception to SB-60. Too bad the reason for opposing it isn't the most basic: Illegals are lawbreakers; they have no right to a license.

From the article:

The governor's office has consistently said Schwarzenegger does not want to take any action until the federal government finishes deciding its requirements for state licenses ... Congress gave states the option to create distinct driver's licenses for illegal immigrants under the Real ID Act passed in May.

(snip)

In an attempt to head off Schwarzenegger's concern that California should wait until the federal government details the requirements of the Real ID Act, Cedillo amended his bill last week to incorporate such a delay.

Would the illegal alien drivers licenses be useful for following the driver until he went 1 mile over the speed limit and then charge him with speeding, bald tires, no light on the license plate, dirty windows, nine passengers in a 3 passenger vehicle, open bottles of tequila and other hight crimes and misdemeanors?

What prevents the federal government from sending marshals to Sacramento and removing said legislators in leg irons and orange jumpsuits for accessory to abet illegal immigration and conspiracy to do so in violation of federal law?

Nothing but cojones.

13
posted on 09/08/2005 5:44:24 PM PDT
by upchuck
("If our nation be destroyed, it would be from the judiciary." ~ Thomas Jefferson)

If an illegal has a valid drivers license in CA then I'm sure CA will accept Mexican Paso's. In fact CA may decide to make the Mexican Paso the official monetary exchange standard for paying Motor Vehicle fines.

Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.